Destinations

The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary For Penang (2019 Travel Guide) 槟城自由行

February 14, 2019 by Bino 4 Comments

One of Malaysia’s most popular destinations, Penang has always beguiled travelers with its age-old shophouses, fantastic street cuisine as well as enviable beaches. I have been to Penang quite a number of times over the years and there is always something new to check out with each visit. Whether you are a history buff or a foodie, this island off the Andaman Sea will always have something to offer. For a mix of all that Penang is known for (food, history, new attractions, etc), here is a well-balanced itinerary that you can easily do over a weekend in Penang.

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The Perfect Itinerary for Kaohsiung and Tainan (2019 Travel Guide)

February 11, 2019 by Bino 9 Comments

Kaoshiung and Tainan, the main cities in the southern region of Taiwan, have been getting quite a bit of attention lately thanks to government efforts to promote the region to overseas tourists. The historic heart of the island has seen plenty of new hotels as well as redevelopment of existing tourist infrastructure in recent years. Being slightly more than a 3-hour high speed train ride from Taipei, it makes sense to spend a couple of days in the southern cities. This is after all where Taiwan’s capital used to be. Those who make the effort to come here are ultimately rewarded with a different side to Taiwanese culture. People tend to speak Minnan (Hokkien) here compared to Mandarin and the tropical climate also means plenty of sunshine as compared to the usually dreary weather up north. If you are thinking of visiting Kaohsiung and Tainan and have no idea where to go, this suggested itinerary can hopefully help you.

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The Essential 2-day Weekend Itinerary for Melaka (Malacca Travel Guide)

December 20, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Melaka (Malacca) is one of the most historic destinations in all of Malaysia. With an old town that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka is filled with charming Peranakan shophouses, old churches, unusual-looking mosques and one of the best restored old towns in the country. Tourist attractions aside, Melaka is also known for the food. Chendol, chicken rice balls, Peranakan food and Portuguese cuisines are just some of the things your tastebuds should try while here.

For a practical and efficient weekend trip to Melaka, this itinerary and travel guide aims to tell you how the town should be done within 2 days.

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The Perfect Itinerary for Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju – One Week South Korea Travel Guide

December 13, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

South Korea has become somewhat of a rising star in the tourism scene in recent years owing in part to the proliferation of Korean TV shows and pop music. The cities of Seoul and Busan undoubtedly appeal to folks who like seeing pretty and cute things and it’s probably not surprising that the visitor demographics here dis-proportionally lean towards females. If you are thinking of visiting South Korea and would like to have a practical itinerary to cover both Seoul and Busan, allot at least 5 or 6 days. If you are also visiting Jeju, you’ll need to add 2 or 3 more.

The two major cities of Seoul and Busan are the most intuitive places to explore during a trip to South Korea – Seoul for its cosmopolitan vibe and traditional culture and Busan for its seaside chic. This travel guide aims to show you how these cities can be done in as little as a week.

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The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Taipei (Updated 2018 Travel Guide)

December 8, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Taipei has long been an attractive travel destination for travelers from neighboring countries. While it has never really established itself in the backpackers’ trail, the city attracts plenty of midrange and high-end tourists looking to sample the local street food, shop in the night markets, soak in the hot springs and interact with the highly hospitable locals. Personally, Taipei is a feel-good place. I don’t go there expecting to see some mind-boggling sights. Like Tokyo, I go there time and time again for the wonderful ambiance.

If you are heading down south, also check out this Kaohsiung and Tainan itinerary.

Here is a well-balanced itinerary for Taipei that you can do in 3-days. It offers a fine mix between sights, eating and shopping and also has a few off-the-beaten path attractions thrown in.

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The Perfect Itinerary For Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang In Central Vietnam (2019 Updated Travel Guide)

November 29, 2018 by Bino 12 Comments

The central part of Vietnam where the cities of Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang are located, is considered to be one of the main touristic centers of the country. The region contains a diversity of attractions ranging from a UNESCO World Heritage town to archeological sites and even Vietnam’s former imperial capital. For outdoorsy types, the area also has plenty to offer in terms of beaches and you can find plenty of award-winning luxury resorts here. The world’s largest cave – Hang Son Doong – can also be found in the region.

If you are also visiting Hanoi during your trip to Vietnam, check out my suggested Hanoi itinerary HERE

If you are visiting Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue and thinking how long you need to spend in the area, I would suggest you go for 4 days / 3 nights minimally. The three cities are accessible from each other to be day trip destinations but I would suggest spending at least a night per city to really appreciate the distinct vibe in each place.

Where you start really depends on your personal preference and where you are coming from. During my trip to Central Vietnam, I arrived via Da Nang International Airport and headed to Hue right away as it was the farthest of the three cities. From Da Nang, Hue is around a 2 hour drive.

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Things to Do in Ipoh, Malaysia (2018) – Of Crumbling Colonial Architecture, Heritage Trails & Limestone Caves

November 27, 2018 by Bino 18 Comments

Exploring Ipoh while on an impromptu heritage walk, I had my doubts on how such a sleepy town could actually be the 3rd largest city in Malaysia. Seeing Ipoh for the first time, I felt like I had stepped into a bygone era when people still traveled by rickshaws and opium dens were the order of the day inside the many Peranakan-style shophouses. The quietness of the old town’s streets coupled with the charming but crumbling colonial architecture only seemed to add to the allure.

the ipoh railway station… affectionately known as the taj mahal of ipoh

Regardless, there’s nary a doubt on Ipoh’s historical significance. The colonial buildings here are some of the most impressive in Malaysia. With the historic Ipoh Railway Station as a natural starting point, I began my walking tour down the compact old town where an architecture buff such as I was in for a treat. From here, the whitewashed Ipoh City Hall was practically staring at me in the face, with its Edwardian Baroque features that I swore bore a strong resemblance to Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. A walked a few more steps down the road and was greeted by more fancy-looking buildings. OCBC, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC… Ipoh in its heyday during the tin mining boom, was second only to Kuala Lumpur in importance and had many major banks erecting their own buildings when they set up shop. The original occupants are still there to this day, this time embellishing their ultra-modern logos against the classical structures.

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The Perfect Short Itinerary for Manila and Cebu

November 17, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Most visitors to the Philippines are likely to end up in one of the paradise islands of the archipelago for a beach getaway but those who spend more than the requisite transit time in the two largest urban centers, Manila and Cebu, are likely to discover a treasure trove of historic and cultural sights that have unfortunately taken a backseat. This easy-to-follow short itinerary for Manila and Cebu in the Philippines aims to introduce first-timers to the best things to do in the capital as well as the queen city of the south as destinations in their own right. In recent years, Filipino food has gained prominence in the international culinary scene and this has increased the foodie factor of both cities, adding another great reason to visit.

Also check out more tips for traveling to the Philippines.

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